ANCA Grinding Platform Boosts Tool Grinding Productivity

ANCA’s advanced grinding solutions offer seamless finished tool grinding in a single setup, including blank preparation. The company’s setup features the P-axis Arobotech, which supports blanks at the grind point, enabling the efficient production of various tools with a surface finish below 0.2 Ra. This process significantly reduces cycle time while boosting productivity. The 3,000 rpm headstock on the MX7 platform further enhances performance, enabling the tool to spin at optimal speeds.

The MX7 platform, equipped with six wheel packs as recommended by ANCA’s application team, supports the grinding of various tool shapes in a single setup, eliminating the need for wheel changes. Depending on the tool’s shape and geometry, grinding can be performed at either the 3- or 12-o’clock position. Additionally, a specially designed hydraulic pump controls the clamping pressure based on diameter, including up/down pressure, to achieve faster cycle times.

Key benefits of the MX7 platform include:

• A tool diameter range 1-25.4 mm
• Capability to handle small to large diameter taper ballnose, corner radius, lollipop cutters, step tools and more in a single setup — reducing cycle time while enhancing productivity and accuracy
• Short setup time due to Arobotech support
• Arobotech pads can support a range of diameters, including 3-10 mm, 10-16.5 mm and 16.5-25mm, all in a single setup
• Collet changes supported within the diameter range
• A blanket grinding process.

ANCA says this application is versatile, working not only with sized blanks but also with bar stock loading. Bar stock loading, commonly known as “blanket grinding,” involves the automatic loading and grinding of multiple tools from a single blank. This process is well suited for batch production of end mills, drill heads and similar tools. It is said to be capable of parting off completed tools from the blank and then extending the blank from the collet to grind subsequent tools.

ANCA’s LoaderMate software is designed to manage the number, location and length of blanks in the pickup pallet, enabling various blank diameters per row. It also features a used bar report, detailing the number of tools ground and the total length of bar to be scrapped for each blank.